 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Silv
Date: 1999-01-21 10:41
I'm really frustrated now! I practice and practice, but I'm still the worst, compared to those in the same year as me. My friend doesn't practice much--in fact, when he does, he fools around half the time, but he's still the best in my year playing the clarinet. Also, I've heard of somebody who became very good (relatively--I'm talking about high school standard here) after learning a year or so, even better than his seniors. Are there really people who are just so talented and can be better than the rest of us with little or no effort? I think it's so unfair!
I'm sorry if I'm wasting your time, reading all this. But I really don't know what to do. Should I just give the clarinet up? All the practice seem to take me nowhere. Perhaps the saying "practice makes perfect" isn't so true after all?
Thanks for taking the time to read all this.
-Silv
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Author: Jim Carabetta
Date: 1999-01-21 10:55
Don't give up, Silv.. you can do it!
You're right to practice, but let me offer a change in that motto: Practice doesn't make perfect -- PERFECT practice makes perfect!! You need to make sure that the practice you do is correct; for example, if you practice a song wrong, you'll get very good at playing it -- incorrectly!
Also, you'll need to have someone assess your skills (a private instructor or your director at school) and assign you exercises that will specifically address the problems you need to overcome.
And there's always practicing with someone, especially someone who's a bit better - it helps you to be "on your game" and even without discussing it, you get the time and the chance to notice some of the little things that go into being good at this.
Just don't give it up -- you seem to have the desire, and that's the hard part. Don't try to be good at "playing the clarinet" - that's too big a job -- identify the skills you need to work on to be good at playing the clarinet, and improve those individuals skills one-at-a-time. Break the process down into managable chunks -- if you take care of the little things (individual skills), the big ones (being great!) take care of themselves...
Good luck!!
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Author: John C.
Date: 1999-01-21 14:48
When I started playing clarinet, a friend of mine (Steve) also started. He flew out of the gate - just natural talent. His teacher encouraged a more laid back approach with him. I struggled at first, with a teacher who stressed drills and fundamentals.
By the time we got to Jr. High, Steve and I were the two best clarinetists (granted, we're talking about a small frog pond here <g>) - beating out students two grades higher for first and second chair. This continued in high school, where as sophomores we had seats 3 and 4 in the first section. There were two seniors from the other Jr. High school that had seats 1 and 2 - we got those seats by the end of the year and kept them through to graduation.
We had a friendly competition - Steve's natural talent vs. my determination. I never had his talent and he never had my discipline - but we both played well. At the earliest possible time (2times/month), whoever was in seat 2 challenged whoever was in seat 1. It was great fun and really kept us at our best, swapping first chair frequently.
You can become good many different ways - and this applies to any pursuit, not just clarinet. You need some basic level of skill and some level of determination. When you stir them together and add some experienced oversight then you can succeed.
I made it to the All State Concert Band - Steve didn't. I practiced the scales and pieces hard, he thought he could wing it. However, Steve went on to play in the Coast Guard Band and has developed a great career (now a pilot) that started with his musical abilities. I went off to college to become an engineer and packed up my horn for 15 years. I never had the talent to play professionally, but I had the desire and discipline to play well.
Never quit! On the other hand, don't be afraid to ask for help or direction either. For me, it was all about attention to detail and repetition in the beginning. The fun came later.
Good luck and keep plugging away!
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Author: Ginny
Date: 1999-01-22 05:16
There have been some excellent comments on this topic. I would like to point you towards some ideas that have helped me over the years. Your friend is relaxed and feels confident. This is a very helpful frame of mind for learning music. You are not doing impossible things, really.
First, you may wish to read a book called "The inner game of Tennis." The advice on learning how to learn physical things and applies well to music. This advice helped me become musically competent, that a and teacher who could explain techique. In the short, your body can be told to do something by you seeing yourself doing it in your mind's eye first. Say you wish to play a scale, do it mentally - seeing every detail, then do it. VERY VERY SLOWLY, with deep relaxation. Relaxation and concentration (the visual thing is really difficult, but you learn to concentrate) have changed me from a slow learner to a quick study over the years and not just in music, but dance, even hitting a baseball. Heck I can even hit a tennis ball now. No way before.
You can learn to learn more quickly, really.
My other comment is that music is very delicate mentally. If you let any self doubt come to mind while you are trying to play, this monster will grab you concentration and ruin your ability. I suspect your worries hold you back and that you are much more talented than you let yourself be.
Ginny
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Author: Stephanie aka Benny
Date: 1999-01-22 19:34
being frustrated is not a new topic to any musician. i get that way all the time. CHILL....take your time and take breaks...if you don't burn out will set in. have fun making music and you will start to improve and enjoying playing even that much more. It will work i am speaking from experience.
~hope i could help~
Keep Swinging,
Benny 
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Author: Silv
Date: 1999-01-23 18:00
Thanks a lot, everybody, for being so encouraging!! I'll keep all your advice in mind and practice even harder. Perhaps one day i'll finally be able to play in first clarinet!
With gratitude,
-Silv.
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